[Ontbirds]Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending April 24, 2008.

[Fred Helleiner]

There were no real surprises for birders at Presqu'ile Provincial Park 
during the past week, if one disregards the misidentifications 
(subsequently rectified) and possible misidentifications that have 
become all too frequent.  The need for caution cannot be 
over-emphasized.  There are enough interesting birds around even before 
our imaginations play tricks on us.

Waterfowl have almost all moved on, except for 50-60 Mute Swans and a 
few dozen Canada Geese and diving ducks.  With the fishing season about 
to open, the remaining ducks will likely be chased out of Presqu'ile Bay 
by the boat traffic.  Among the species still present in and around the 
Park today are Wood Duck, Redhead, White-winged Scoter, and Common 
Goldeneye.  There are still good numbers of Red-throated Loons and 
Common Loons in the offshore waters.

The first American Bittern of the year was noted in the marsh on April 
21.  Up to five Great Egrets are sometimes visible on their nests on 
High Bluff Island.  Black-crowned Night-Herons are probably also nesting 
there, but the only two seen this week were on Sebastopol Island, where 
they used to nest.  The first Common Moorhen of the season was in the 
marsh today.  A few early shorebirds can be expected within the next 
week.  In the meantime it is encouraging that a Wilson's Snipe was heard 
winnowing twice this week at opposite ends of the beach.  Common Terns 
(up to four) have been at Owen Point every day since April 21.

A Great Horned Owls was being mobbed by American Crows near the Park 
store, and two Barred Owls were calling to each other in Jobes' Woods.  
An excellent imitation of a Barred Owl not far from the lighthouse on 
April 18 did not fool the other birder who responded in kind, though the 
response may have fooled the original perpetrator.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers have become almost a daily occurrence in the 
eastern end of the Park.  Two Blue-headed Vireos on April 23 and, on 
April 22, a reported Warbling Vireo for which no details were available 
were also in that area.  The early morning Blue Jay migration over the 
lighthouse, which reaches its peak in late May, appears to have begun 
already.  The Tufted Titmouse mentioned in last week's report has not 
been seen since April 18, but there are daily observations of Carolina 
Wren within a kilometre of the lighthouse.  Both House Wren and Marsh 
Wren have returned to their usual haunts.  Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers were 
present for at least three consecutive days, beginning on April 18, when 
a pair was located not far from where they nested last year.  A Northern 
Mockingbird was singing at the calf pasture on April 18.  Brown 
Thrashers, many of them very vocal, have taken over Presqu'ile: seeing 
half a dozen in a morning has been normal this week.

The long-awaited warbler migration is well under way, albeit confined to 
few species.  The majority are Yellow-rumped Warblers, but Pine Warblers 
are in places where the habitat is suitable.  Two Palm Warblers were 
near the lighthouse this morning.  Without further information, one is 
inclined to question the identification of a reported Magnolia Warbler 
on April 18.  There has been a good variety of sparrows seen in the 
Park, including Eastern Towhees, Field Sparrows, a Savannah Sparrow, a 
report of two Grasshopper Sparrows at the lighthouse, a Fox Sparrow, 
many Swamp Sparrows, but as yet no White-crowned Sparrows.  A Rusty 
Blackbird was seen on April 20, and another on April 21 that was 
originally misidentified by two experienced observers (this scribe being 
one of them) as a Brewer's Blackbird, a similar-looking species.   In 
retrospect we both feel chastened and hope that the sobering experience 
will deter others from letting enthusiasm override caution. 

To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton. 
Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid 
that is available at the Park gate.  Access to the offshore islands is 
restricted at this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial 
nesting birds there.

Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be 
directed to: FHELLEINER at TRENTU.CA.

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--
Fred Helleiner

186 Bayshore Road,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.